The Local Government System Research Council, an advisory body for the prime minister, on Aug. 24 started discussions for the first time in two years. In the past, the council devoted its energy to increasing the power of local governments, and generally attention was focused on administrative actions taken by municipality mayors and prefectural governors.
This time the council is expected to first discuss a basic question of how to increase autonomy of local residents. It is hoped that the panel will deepen discussions on how to better reflect local residents' opinions and voices in the administration of municipal and prefectural governments.
Local residents in principle should be the ones who have the final say in decisions on matters related to their communities.